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Old 02-21-2017, 06:47 PM   #1
Drago
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Smile Chinese hamster!

About a month ago I created a thread expressing interest in looking into getting a hamster species other than Syrians. After much consideration and hearing the advice and opinions of those who answered and through lots of research, I've decided a chinesey is what I'm looking for! I've owned several Syrians throughout the years so this will be my first hamster of another species and I want to get everything right! I've started out with a 20 gallon long, but there's a dollar per gallon sale at a nearby petco so I wasn't sure whether or not I should start with a 20 or just go straight to a 40, what do you think would be best? Though I know each hamster is different and it will depend on the personality of the one I choose but do any of you owners/breeders out there notice your chinesey has a preference? Wheel size, I've read mixed things on this so I've bought an 8.5 inch wheel as well as a 6.5 inch. Which would be best for me to use? As for diet I'm in the US, but am willing to order Burgess dwarf if that's what's best for them as I've heard they're diabetes prone my Syrians are on hazel/Harry hamster so I assume this wouldn't be suitable for them? I'm also stuck between a male and a female, I know once again it's an individual's personality but do any of you have a preference? I also am curious as to whether there are any chinesey breeders in the United States? I've searched through all these older threads as well as the Internet, but I can't seem to find anything. If I can't, I will gladly rescue as 90% of my animals are rescues, but I figure it'd be nice to support a good genuine breeder once in a while! Overall any tips/suggestions will be highly appreciated, I'm very excited to get a Chinese hamster and want to make sure I'll be offering my little one the best life possible! Thank you all in advance
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Old 02-21-2017, 07:03 PM   #2
AmityvilleHams
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Default Re: Chinese hamster!

I'd start with the 20 long Or,section off part of the 40 and do a transition to more space over time.With a nervous species such as Chinese you don't want to take that sort of change too fast.

For a wheel,the 9 inch Silent Runner would be best.8.5 inch Comfort Wheels(the only 8.5 inch wheel I'm aware of)are not very good wheels and while they might work they're very loud and could potentially be more scary for a nervous hamster due to being so loud and also the open front.Silent Runners have an enclosed front which gives a more secure feeling for hamsters,and the design is considerably safer than any wheel you'll find on the market.

Burgess dwarf will be the best diet option.There isn't anything else as a single food that would be diabetes friendly in the US,and anything else would require mixing with another food to be suitable.Since there are no lab blocks or pellets which are diabetes friendly,that just isn't an option.Harry/Hazel has pieces which are not small enough for dwarf hamster mouths,so while it would be an acceptable food it just isn't the most appropriate.

It really won't matter what gender you get,as it is just down to personal preference As for where you get the hamster,there isn't really one specific source that would be best.While everything will have its own benefits and drawbacks,nothing is perfect.For example with breeders you might have to wait a long time to get an available hamster to purchase,and you may also have to travel a very long distance to get the hamster.With rescues,the hamster will have an unknown background and could be any age with any potential health problems,which is something to consider but ultimately up to the individual to decide whether or not they mind Pet shop hamsters can also be a perfectly fine choice and are nothing to be ashamed of,especially with very good local pet shops.What matters most is that you love the animal in question and give them appropriate care,not necessarily where they come from.
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Old 02-21-2017, 07:48 PM   #3
Cinnamon Bear
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Default Re: Chinese hamster!

I have a 3yr old rescue who I'm attached to now but she still bites sometimes, I can't handle her. With my hands I mean

I just bought a pair of 4 mo old sisters from a pet store, they don't bite but they like to come out only when it's dark. So my experience is that they are shy little creatures & it can take months if ever to tame them.

They would be way overwhelmed in a 40 gal. I have 2 of them in a 15 gal but that's the precautions I have to take to reduce the chances of a fallout. They can get territorial over space or items in their cage, just like any any hamster.

Be prepared for it to hide & burrow most of the time. Not to be negative but that's what the do, hide. At least the ones that I own. I probably wouldn't have bought anymore Chinese but a pair was for sale so I'm working to gain their trust however slow it goes.

So don't get discouraged at first. A 20 gal long would be a good choice. Wishing you the best. Sorry if this sounds negative in any way, just what I experience day by day.

But they can live longer than most hammies, up to 4 years my 3 yr old doesn't show any signs of slowing down.
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Old 02-21-2017, 11:38 PM   #4
cypher
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Default Re: Chinese hamster!

Cage size does depend a lot on the individual & a lot also depends on the set up, they can be much more comfortable in a larger cage if you get the set up right for them, not too much open space or height above them, lots of deep substrate, hideouts & plenty of safe things to climb on & explore.
Males tend to be a lot less active than females so may do better in a smaller space but will still enjoy more space if you get things right for them.
Females can be very very busy little things! Out & about more than males generally so that might help you choose which you would prefer.
Mine all have 9" silent runners, a 6.5" silent spinner is just about big enough for most, males tend to be bigger & longer than females so may need the larger wheel.
I would go for burgess dwarf ham food if you can get it, some people feed them on Harry Hamster but they much prefer small seeds, it's a more natural diet for them & easier for them to manage as well as being suitable for a diabetes prone species.
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Old 02-22-2017, 02:06 AM   #5
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Default Re: Chinese hamster!

Chinese Hamsters are very individual creatures I currently have my female in a Mini Duna and my male in a Riviera Varazze and in the past have had one in the Alexander Cage (100 x 40 cm) so it really is down to the Hamster. I would personally if you can, start off with a Bin Cage that is 60 x 40cm instead of a 20 Gal long tank and work up to a 20 Gal Long.
Wheels also tend to be very individual things. Some run fine on an 8.5" some run better on a 9" or more. I would err on the side of caution and go for the bigger wheel.
As Diabetes is caused by Obesity and Genetics and not Sugar, either is fine. My Chinese Hamsters are fed a mix of Harry Hamster and Burgess Hamster (not the dwarf mix) with added mealworms and that's the same diet I feed my Syrians.
As for breeders I'm not sure to be honest - I think I remember Strong Brew Hamstery saying something about USA Chinesey breeders but can't remember what they said so maybe contacting them and asking them may yield some results
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Old 02-22-2017, 02:51 AM   #6
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Default Re: Chinese hamster!

I've had several Chinese now and all have had their own unique little personalities and needs from their environments and the suitability of a particular cage will depend on their personality. However you're not necessarily going to know this when you buy the cage so I tend to find that starting small and working your way up has worked best for me, particularly if you're needing to have to do some taming or the hamster is still very young and has only just been separated from their siblings.

Currently I'm using bin cages that are a little bit bigger than a Mini Duna for my two boys. One had something larger at one point but needed to be downgraded as he just wouldn't settle regardless of how I furnished the cage. One of my girls has needed something larger and the other girl is currently in a Mini Duna although she usually lives in a wire cage. Mine have always had 6.5" Silent Spinners which even my largest can still run on with a straight back however, there are some issues reported of the newer models not turning freely so that is something you'd have to check. I'm in the process of replacing our wheels but am going for something larger just because of availability.

I know that some Chinese can be shy but there's nothing to say that the hamster you'll get will be so, I've only had one shy one and with a little time, patience and sticking to a routine, I managed to get her tamed enough to be happy to be held not just by me, but by people she'd never met before.
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Old 02-22-2017, 07:17 AM   #7
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Default Re: Chinese hamster!

I agree with smaller space at first so maybe a 10 or 15 gal, or better a bin cage would work better. Then if you can tame her, positive vibes here then work your way up.
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Old 02-22-2017, 08:06 AM   #8
Drago
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Default Re: Chinese hamster!

Thank you all for the kind replies and help! I will start with the 20 long, and if he/she seems to be nervous, I'll downgrade. If he/she seems to want more space, then I'll upgrade to the 40 or a bin cage I will also use the 8.5 inch wheel, I want my new little one to be as comfortable as possible! I'm also going to try to order Burgess if it would be better for a tiny mouth, I found a good deal for bags a few days ago on eBay. Once again, thank you all for the help and suggestions
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Old 02-22-2017, 08:10 AM   #9
Cinnamon Bear
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Default Re: Chinese hamster!

I'm envious at your finding of Burgess on e-bay. I had to pay $!6 each and I got 2 bags from e-bay here. Look forward to your Chinesey thread once you get her/him of course
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Old 02-23-2017, 12:12 AM   #10
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Default Re: Chinese hamster!

I was going to say that the 20 gallon long might be a bit narrow (12 1/2 inches deep) and also go with the bin cage idea. That way it doesn't have to be too big to start out with until you guage the personality, but still has good floor area (ie good depth) the shape can affect what you can fit in and layout as well.

So Amity's suggestion of a 40 gallon (breeder) sectioned off, might be best and more economical in the long run. It's only 6" longer than the 20 gallon long, but is a good depth (45cm or 1 foot 6"). And again you could have one end (maybe 1//3) that is a deep digging area to make the floor area smaller overall. Plenty of cover and things to hide under would help as well.

Or a cage. I know Cypher uses cages for hers. But I know cages are expensive in the US.

There is this perspex tank as well - it's not huge but might be good as a starter tank until you know what kind of personality they have.

The top one on this link. It's about the same length as the 20 gallon long but the same depth as a 40 gallon breeder.

HAMSTER CAGES

I think if it was me I'd either go for that or a 40 gallon breeder sectioned off with a third of it as deep substrate and lots of hides and tunnels. But I haven't actually owned a Chinese
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